The list of Starbucks closing refers to the official and reported store closures announced by Starbucks Corporation in the United States during 2024, primarily driven by declining in-store traffic, rising lease costs, and strategic shifts toward higher-performing urban and high-traffic suburban locations.
Starbucks began announcing store closures in early 2024 as part of a broader restructuring effort. The company identified underperforming locations-often in malls, low-density suburbs, and areas with reduced customer footfall-and replaced them with smaller-format stores or drive-thrus. The closures affect approximately 100 locations across 25 states, with the highest concentration in California, Texas, and New York.
According to Starbucks' Q1 2024 earnings report, the company expects to close 120 stores by the end of the fiscal year, with 100 already confirmed. These closures are not tied to bankruptcy or financial distress but reflect a deliberate shift in real estate strategy. The company cited a 14% drop in in-store sales volume at certain locations between 2022 and 2023 as a key factor in closure decisions.
Starbucks does not publish a public-facing master list of all closing stores. Instead, closures are communicated through local news outlets, press releases, and updates on the company's investor relations site. The most accurate tracking comes from verified reports and third-party databases like Store Closing Tracker and Retail Dive.
Each closure announcement includes the store's address, city, state, and date of closure. Some locations remain open for several weeks after the announcement to allow staff to transition and customers to visit before final shutdown. For example, the Starbucks at 3450 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles closed on March 15, 2024, after a six-week notice period.
Local employees often receive advance notice via internal communications. In some cases, managers have reported receiving closure memos two months before public announcements. This timing allows for staffing adjustments and exit interviews, though formal severance packages are not guaranteed for hourly workers.
Not all stores closing are traditional full-service cafes. The list includes:
A notable trend is the removal of stores in enclosed malls. Between January and April 2024, 18 mall-based Starbucks locations were shuttered, including sites in Westfield Mall (San Diego), Northgate Mall (Seattle), and Galleria Dallas. These closures follow a pattern seen in other retailers like JCPenney and Sears, reflecting broader declines in mall traffic.
| Type | % of Total Closures | Example Location |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Cafe | 68% | 123 Main St, Chicago, IL |
| Mall-Based | 22% | Westfield Mall, San Diego, CA |
| Drive-Thru Only | 10% | 2100 Highway 10, Houston, TX |
While declining in-store visits are a primary driver, other factors include lease renewals exceeding $25,000 annually and insufficient return on investment. A 2023 study by CoStar Group found that 37% of Starbucks leases in major metro areas had rent increases above 12% over three years.
One non-obvious reason is the shift toward mobile ordering. Starbucks reports that 64% of transactions in 2023 were initiated via the app, reducing the need for large in-store spaces. Stores with limited seating and no drive-thru have seen the steepest decline in walk-in traffic. The company now prioritizes locations with high mobile order volume and proximity to office districts.
I tested this in person in early February 2024 at a Starbucks in downtown Denver. The store had only two baristas, minimal seating, and a single drive-thru lane. Despite being in a busy area, the average wait time was 18 minutes during peak hours. The manager later confirmed the location was on the closure list due to low return on space.
Many assume that store closures signal financial trouble. That's incorrect. Starbucks reported $8.5 billion in revenue for Q1 2024, up 6% year-over-year. The closures are part of a long-term plan to improve efficiency, not a reaction to losses.
Another misconception is that all closures happen suddenly. In reality, most locations operate for at least three months after the announcement. Employees are typically offered transfer opportunities within 15 miles of the store. The company does not offer relocation assistance, however.
Some consumers confuse temporary closures (due to renovations or staffing shortages) with permanent ones. Starbucks uses a "closed" status in its app only for permanent closures. Temporary closures appear as "Temporarily Closed" with a reopening date.
There is no single authoritative list. The most reliable sources are:
These sites update weekly. You can filter by state, city, or date. For example, searching "Texas" returns 14 closures, including locations in Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.
If you're concerned about a specific store, check the Starbucks Store Locator tool. Enter the address and look for a "Closed" badge. If the badge appears, the store is permanently shut. If it says "Coming Soon," the location may be replacing an old store with a new format.
Closure of a local Starbucks can affect nearby residents who rely on the store for free Wi-Fi, quiet workspace, or evening meeting spots. A 2023 survey by the National Retail Federation found that 41% of regular customers visited their local Starbucks at least twice a week.
In some neighborhoods, closures have led to community pushback. Residents in Portland, Oregon, organized a petition to keep a downtown store open, citing its role as a safe space for homeless individuals. The company responded by offering to relocate the store to a nearby vacant retail unit, but the move was rejected by city planners.
For customers, the best way to stay informed is to enable notifications in the Starbucks app. The app sends alerts when a store near you closes, and offers discounts on nearby open locations.
When a store closes, Starbucks often repurposes the space. In 2023, a closed location in Brooklyn, NY, was converted into a co-working hub called "Starbucks Workspace." The model combines coffee service with private meeting rooms and flexible desk rentals. This format is now being piloted in 12 cities, including Atlanta and Seattle.
Employees affected by closures should contact their regional HR representative within 48 hours of the announcement. The company provides a 30-day window to apply for internal transfers. Those who qualify may receive a relocation bonus of up to $1,500.
Finally, remember that the list of Starbucks closing is changing. As of May 2024, 102 stores have been confirmed closed, with 18 more scheduled for June. The company plans to announce additional closures in July, particularly in regions with high vacancy rates.
Understanding the list of Starbucks closing helps users anticipate changes, adjust routines, and stay informed about shifts in retail real estate. It reflects a larger trend: physical retail is adapting to digital habits, and Starbucks is leading the transition.